Indian Navy to Commission Two Advanced Stealth Frigates in Vishakapatnam
The Indian Navy is set to commission two advanced stealth frigates, Udaygiri and Himgiri, at the Eastern Naval Command in Vishakapatnam on Tuesday. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will preside over the commissioning ceremony, marking a significant milestone in the Indian Navy’s fleet expansion.
The two frigates, Udaygiri and Himgiri, are part of the Indian Navy’s latest Project 17 A, a state-of-the-art initiative that showcases the country’s growing maritime importance. This development highlights the strategic importance of India’s eastern seaboard, with the commissioning of two frontline surface combatants built at different shipyards simultaneously.
Udaygiri and Himgiri are follow-on ships of the Project 17 class frigates, incorporating significant improvements in design, stealth, weapon, and sensor systems. These advanced capabilities enable the vessels to execute a full spectrum of maritime missions in blue water conditions. Udaygiri, built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, is the second ship from Project 17A stealth frigates, while Himgiri, constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers in Kolkata, is the first of its kind.
The commissioning of Udaygiri and Himgiri represents a generational leap over earlier designs, further fortifying India’s strength at sea. The addition of these two state-of-the-art combatant platforms to the Indian Navy’s fleet underscores the country’s commitment to enhancing its maritime capabilities.
